Home Matters(from recipes to routines)

Well, it's bug season again in Georgia. That's right, the hot, muggy summer has arrived bringing with it lots of critters. That means it's time to get out the bug spray and start spraying.

As I began to reach for my favorite bug spray this week, I was reminded of a great little house hold tip I wanted to share with you. It's going to blow the flies right out of the buttermilk so stick with me to the end!

Before I go there, let me say that bug spray is a must these days for protecting us against mosquitoes and the like, but I don't recommend the unnatural kind. There's way too many chemicals in the traditional sprays that are very harmful to the human body. If you have a few cans sitting around, I'm going to tell you how you can use them in a brilliant new way that doesn't involve the skin. After all you're a person and not a plant and you don't need to cover yourself in pesticides. Why? Because your skin is an organ. Would you spray a bug pesticide on your liver or heart? Then the same rule applies to your skin. Instead, try some of the natural products that or now on the market using essential oils or better yet, make your own at home. Here's a recipe to try from "Survival At Home":

On another note, OFF does get it Off! Not the bugs but the permanent magic marker better known as "Sharpie." That's right ladies, if you've ever entered your kitchen to be horrified by your toddler marking all over your hardwood floors with the brand new large-tip permanent marker then this tip's for you! I did a few years back and it just so happened our house was on the market for sale. Can you say "Yikes"? I panicked. What do you do when you know that ink is going nowhere? You google it of course. What I found was an amazing piece of information. Instead of throwing out the OFF move it from the summer supplies cabinet to the cleaning department in your home. Something in OFF bug spray actually breaks down permanent magic marker and it wipes right off, even if it is completely dry. I can't say the stuff didn't also remove the shinny finish from my floor, but that's an easy fix with floor wax. It was the ink that had me terrified. The OFF took the terror out of the toddler twos!

Since learning this earth-shattering life changing news, I've used OFF to remove marker from clothes before doing laundry. I've used it to remove marker from all kinds of surfaces including glass. Last week I even used it to remove blood stains from a fabric that nothing else would budge. My conclusion, OFF is the bomb and it makes a great cleaning product to have on hand. That's why I've determined it's way too potent for the human flesh. No wonder it kills bugs.

Hope this month's tip helps you enjoy a bug free summer and make those permanent marker stains un-permanent at your peaceful palace!

Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. Romans 12:1